Jacob Kopnick

Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies says federal prosecutors are withholding key evidence that could help exonerate the company from charges of bank fraud, sanctions violations, racketeering and trade secret theft. In a letter filed Feb. 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Huawei argues that the government must turn over the exculpatory information that undermines allegations that Huawei and its CFO Meng Wanzhou defrauded numerous global financial institutions by lying about its relationship with its Iranian affiliate Skycom. In the letter, Huawei's defense team said it needs more of the government's information about Huawei's communications with these financial institutions, particularly London-based HSBC. The defense team claims that Huawei was transparent about its relationship with Skycom and that currently withheld government information could prove that.

A United Kingdom trade law panel established to navigate post-Brexit trade law complications officially began its work Feb. 1 and will run for a four-year period with no extension opportunities. Panelists from 18 law firms will advise on all stages of international trade disputes, sorting through World Trade Organization compliance questions and providing legal advice on trade agreement implementation.

The United Arab Emirates updated its tariff schedule after adopting amendments made to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Unified Customs Tariff that passed on Oct. 25, 2020. In a Jan. 21 customs notice, Dubai Customs said the amendments were implemented effective Jan. 1. The UAE modified the description column of two tariff codes, created four new tariff headings and made 65 changes to existing tariff subheadings, KPMG said Feb. 8. The affected commodities are tobacco-related products; electronic products; cocoa powder and other instant preparation drinks with added sugar or sweetener; water, milk and cocoa beverages with added sugar or sweetener; and miscellaneous chemical products.

European Union Vice President Josep Borrell plans to place or review sanctions on Russian and Myanmar officials, he announced Feb. 9 during a European Parliament debate. Borrell, who visited Moscow last week, said sanctions could be included in a European response to the jailing of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who was sentenced to three and a half years in prison Feb. 2. In another Feb. 9 speech, Borrell laid out his plans to consider imposing additional targeted sanctions on individuals and businesses owned by the Myanmar military for their involvement in the Feb. 1 military coup. He also announced his intention to assess the use of the Everything But Arms trade preferences.

The European Council renewed the European Union terrorist list Feb. 5 for another six months, freezing the funds and other financial assets in the EU of 14 persons and 21 groups and entities. The list also prohibits EU operators from making funds and economic resources available to the blocked parties. The terrorist list has been in place since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Renewal is required every six months.

After taking charge of its own financial sanctions regime after leaving the European Union, the United Kingdom will look to deepen engagement with the U.S., the EU and other close allies to bolster the effectiveness of its now-autonomous sanctions authorities. In a Feb. 4 blog post, the new head of the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Giles Thomson, discussed how greater collaboration with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors will be key to ensure improved compliance. In the spirit of this renewed sense of public-private camaraderie, Thomson announced a targeted outreach on licensing in the spring to focus on the additions and applications OFSI is making.

While the World Trade Organization faces multiple crises, including COVID-19 vaccine export control threats and massive trade wars, the institution's Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff delivered a 10-item agenda for moving forward. Speaking Feb. 9 at a Washington International Trade Association conference, Wolff said the WTO will be judged by “how well it deals with the crises of our time,” saying it must “demonstrate soon and visibly that it can deliver on subjects relevant to all those who engage in international trade or are affected by it ... pretty much everyone.”

South Korea and Cambodia announced in a joint statement that negotiations have concluded on a bilateral free trade agreement. Cambodian Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak and South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee revealed the finished FTA talks at a joint Feb. 4 videoconference, The Korea Herald reported. The FTA is intended to boost both countries' exports and comes after six months of negotiations. When combined with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Cambodia will lift tariffs on 93.8% of all South Korean products, while South Korea will lift duties on 95.6% of Cambodian goods, The Korea Herald said. “The FTA will pave the way for the two countries to overcome challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, and seek sustainable economic growth,” Yoo said on the videoconference.

A month after the end of the Brexit transition period, the Port of Dover in Great Britain reports freight traffic is nearly at the same level as a year ago. In a Feb. 8 news release, the nearest British port to France gave a post-Brexit update, saying that more than 90% of the freight volumes typically recorded this time of year are flowing through the port. The Port of Dover said that if a hauler shows up to the Kent County border with all paperwork ready and a negative COVID-19 test, then it's quickly off to France on a ferry. “I’m really encouraged to see such a positive start to the New Year as we adapt to the new systems and processes involved in a new, post-Brexit transition era,” Port of Dover Chief Operations Officer Sarah West said.

Following meetings with various European leaders, Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal announced high-level India-U.K. and India-EU dialogues on trade and investment. In a joint U.K.-India statement Feb. 8, Goyal and Britain's Trade Secretary Liz Truss announced the launch of an Enhanced Trade Partnership between the two countries. The two met Feb. 6. The move formalizes a deal announced July 24 at the 14th meeting of the India-U.K. Joint Economic and Trade Committee, at which the respective ministers agreed on a road map on trade that would lead to a free trade agreement. The Feb. 8 announcement will serve as a springboard to future negotiations.